CRICKET
PROVINCIAL
MPCA cricket returned last weekend with one-day action.
Reigning Provincial division champions Old Peninsula got their 2023/2024 campaign off to a good start at home against Peninsula division premiers Heatherhill.
The Pirates chose to bat first. Their best performers were Dylan O’Malley and captain Justin Grant – O’Malley scored 53 from the opening position and Grant scored 51 runs batting at number five.
Old Peninsula finished their innings after 40 overs with 175 runs on the board.
Heatherhill skipper Kristian Miller led from the front, but he didn’t get enough help from his teammates for a successful run chase.
Miller scored 73 runs before being dismissed by Justin Grant. The tail end fought hard after his dismissal but couldn’t quite get over the line.
With time working against them, Heatherhill were bowled out nine runs short of their target. Their last wicket fell with four balls left to spare.
At Overport Park, Langwarrin bested Baden Powell by five wickets. Baden Powell were bowled out for 148 and couldn’t defend their total.
Pines got their season started on the right foot with a seven wicket win over Red Hill away from home on Saturday. Sorrento thumped Long Island by 77 runs to close out the round.
PENINSULA
LAST season’s defeated grand finalist Seaford Tigers are off to a shaky start to their 2023/2024 campaign.
The Tigers took on Mt Eliza at Emil Madsen Reserve on Saturday. They chose to bowl first but struggled to make an impact.
Mt Eliza’s top order did the damage – the scoreboard read 1-128 before the wicket of Lahiru Opatha fell for 77 runs.
Mt Eliza scored 6/202 from their 40 overs. Liam O’Halloran’s three wickets helped to limit the damage.
The Tigers were no match in the end. After an opening stand of 27 between Brayden Roscoe and Benjamin Miller, they lost 6-24. Three of those wickets came without a run being scored.
Each of Mt Eliza’s six bowlers took a wicket and shared in the fun. Tom Baron took 2-9 from five overs and Lahiru Opatha took 2-10 from four overs.
The Tigers were bowled out for just 101 runs, dooming them to a heavy defeat.
Rosebud scored a win at home in their season opener. They chased down Baxter’s total of 166 with an over and five wickets to spare.
Somerville were narrowly defeated by Moorooduc on Saturday. Moorooduc worked hard to defend a total of 138 runs. Somerville was bowled out for 131 with an over left to play.
Mornington were in fine form last weekend. The Bulldogs chased down Dromana’s score of 201 with six wickets left in hand.
DISTRICT
SUB DISTRICT premier Balnarring’s life in the District division got off to a poor start on Saturday.
The newly promoted side took on Flinders at home. Their top order played well – Jackson Hannah scored 55, Luke Hewitt scored 20, and Mark Walles scored 27 – but a massive collapse cost them the game.
Outside of their openers and first drop batters, no Balnarring player scored a double digit total. They were bowled out for 155.
Mason Mail was brilliant with the ball. He dismissed both openers then helped clean up the tail. He posted figures of 4/16 from seven overs.
Flinders chased down their target with ease. Opener Jack Field scored an unbeaten 45, Mason Mail scored 45, and Sam Gove came in at number three and posted a half-century from only 36 deliveries.
Flinders reached their target in just 29 overs with eight wickets to spare.
Carrum Downs started their season with a thumping 127 run win over Carrum. Opener James Quarmby scored 49 runs, and James Abbotts and Robert Johnston each scored 59.
Delacombe Park were 42 run winners over last season’s losing grand finalists Seaford on Saturday. Crib Point also started their season with a victory – the Magpies beat Main Ridge at Ditterich Reserve.
SUB DISTRICT
A BRILLIANT unbeaten knock of 73 from 57 deliveries by Dilasri Lokubandara helped Boneo score a good win over Mt Martha on Saturday.
Mt Martha came into the game looking to make amends for last season’s Grand Final defeat to Balnarring. They batted first but failed to keep control of the game.
Both of Mt Martha’s openers fell for low scores. Skipper Ben Stallworthy and Thomas Walker corrected course with scores of 36 and 50 respectively, but their dismissals signalled the beginning of the end.
Mt Martha scored 8-139 from their 40 overs. Boneo reached that target in 36 overs with four wickets left to spare.
Lokubandara was the star of the day. He smashed eight boundaries, including five sixes, during his entertaining knock.
Pearcedale started their season with a four-wicket win at home against Frankston YCW. Hastings and Tootgarook also picked up home ground victories over Ballam Park and Rye respectively.
Skye posted a massive score of 220 at Skye Reserve on Saturday. Their opponents, Tyabb, fought admirably to stay in the game but the task proved too much. Tyabb was bowled out for 173.
